The Secret Power of Orange

There is a reason everyone knows about the orange. This little fruit has been putting smiles on peoples faces for thousands of years.

So what’s the reason?

If you take a look at the citrus fruit family you will discover these fruits are full of many different components that assist with your heath, inside and out. One of the most common compounds found in the skin of citrus fruit is called Limonene. This is an active component of dietary phytochemicals and appears to be protective against cancer.

It also has strong antioxidant benefits which assist the lymphatic system in clearing acne and congested, oily skin.1 Although be careful, using Orange Essential Oil alone can irritate your skin. It’s best to used in combination with other ingredients, like in soaps or lotions.

Due to the vibrant fragrance of Orange, it is used in many cosmetics and popular as an effective aromatherapy to alleviate stress and anxiety.

In order to make Orange Essential Oil, the peel is distilled in a cold pressed process and the oils are collected as the essential chemical and aromatic properties of that plant. Using the cold pressed process helps the oils to retain some of it’s healing molecular benefits, versus a steam distillation process which can evaporate smaller molecules like vitamins and minerals. While the cold process does not promise a daily serving size, it can give you an extra supplemental boost of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients.

Hormones and minerals, however, do not cross at all due to their molecular size. Essential oils dohave their own molecules which can act like hormones. These hormone like molecules are able to occupy hormonal receptor sites within the body and trigger its specific hormonal actions. The proper use of such oils can help support the endocrine system and help normalize imbalanced hormones.2 Nutritional benefits also occur in these oils helping with digestion.

Essential Oils have the ability to increase the bioavailability of nutrients in our food and can enhance our ability to absorb them. They can stimulate the body to make its own vitamins as well as aid digestion and the assimilation of nutrients.

If you read my last article about Coffee Soap, you know that it is possible to absorb these nutrients into your skin from your soap. Orange and Tea Tree Soap is no different, packing a super punch of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties into your skin as well as some supplemental vitamin help. I don’t know about you, but during the winter months I love having this extra boost of orange in my shower. Getting ready when it’s still dark outside is hardly motivating. Not only do the aromatic properties perk me up, but my skin is so soft and I rarely see a pimple on my face! Also great for a post workout scrub to keep your skin clear and glowing.